On Wednesday night, PSG staged a thrilling late comeback to claim the Wooden’s Super Cup title, defeating Tottenham in an intense penalty shootout.
The former Brentford manager, having recently taken over from Thomas Frank in Italy, watched as his new squad held a two-goal lead with just five minutes remaining, seemingly on track for victory at Blue Energy Stadium.
Although Tottenham’s Mickey Van de Ven and captain Christian Romero found the net either side of halftime, the team suffered an astonishing collapse in the final moments.
South Korea’s international Lee Kang-in sparked the comeback with a stunning 20-yard strike, followed by Goncalo Ramos securing his position as the PSG hero with a goal in stoppage time.
As the match headed for penalties, PSG’s Bitinha missed an initial attempt, but both Van de Ven and Mattis Tell failed to convert for Spurs.
With Portuguese defender Nuno Mendes keeping his composure, PSG added another Super Cup title to their collection, having already secured their first Champions League trophy.
While Tottenham may have fallen short in dramatic fashion, they must take encouragement from their overall performance against the formidable French side.
This victory marked PSG’s remarkable European silverware achievement, showcasing key highlights from the Super Cup clash.
PSG’s Remarkable Comeback
After their Club World Cup adventure last month, PSG has struggled to return to peak form, showing signs of fatigue and inconsistency.
Enrique, who recently resumed preseason training, acknowledged that the team’s best play is yet to surface.
Bradley Barcola displayed some promise, but star player Osmane Dembele had a largely ineffective night.
With Gianluigi Donnarumma absent from the squad due to issues within the club, PSG’s preparations faced some upheaval.
Despite these challenges and the pressure of being labeled the new poster children of European football, PSG proved their resilience with a stunning late comeback, clinching their fifth title of the season.
Tottenham’s Contrast of Hope and Despair
Postcoglow, who led Tottenham to Europa League glory in May, faced renewed scrutiny after the team’s Super Cup collapse.
Entering a new era this summer, Spurs aimed to shed the painful memory of last season’s 17th place finish.
With Danish coach Frank’s immediate appointment, he knows the weight of expectations is high.
While this setback stings, Tottenham should focus on the positives shown in their performance against PSG.
Summer signings appear to be making an immediate impact, demonstrating potential under Frank’s guidance.
Looking Ahead to Domestic Competitions
As the 2024/25 campaign wrapped up, PSG finished with an impressive 19-point lead over runners-up Marseille.
Following their historic sweeps last season, it’s clear that PSG is favored to continue breaking national records.
Despite a busy schedule post-Club World Cup and the Super Cup, Enrique’s team is gearing up to defend their Ligue 1 title against Nantes this weekend.
Meanwhile, Tottenham must quickly recover from mid-week’s heartbreak and refocus as they aim to redeem their reputation in the domestic league.
After a disappointing previous season, Frank’s squad will face Premier League returnee Burnley in their next match.
Match Report
PSG: Chevalier, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Zaire-Elily, Vitinha, Dou, Kuvalashelia, Boat, Dembele
Substitutes: Ramos, Kang-in, smoke, Lewis
Tottenham: Vitari, Porro, Danso, Romero, Romero, Van de Ven, Sarr, Palhinha, Kudus, Richarlison
Substitutes: Bergvall, Gray, Solane, Tel
Goals: PSG: Kang-in (85′), Ramos (90+4′); Tottenham: Van de Ven (39′), Romero (48′)
Yellow Cards: PSG: Barcola, Dembele; Tottenham: Danso, Richarlison
Red Card: N/A
Referee: Joaopinhilo
Fan Take: This thrilling comeback exemplifies the unpredictability and excitement of soccer, reminding fans that no match is over until the final whistle. For PSG, this victory not only bolsters their morale ahead of the domestic league but also reinforces their status as a force in European football.
